User:Ysamuel44

An abscess of the thymus, also known as "Dubois' abscesses" presents itself as multiple small cysts that can become infected an are found on the thymus. This type of abscess is known to be a sterile type. The thymus is an organ that forms and makes it debut in the fetus during the sixth week of pregnancy. It is positioned in the upper chest cavity, and can be found located in the anterior region of the mediastinum. The thymus is a gland that is a lymphoid organ of the immune system that shrinks with age and eventually will be replaced by fat as it becomes less important in its functions. It is an important organ that has an influence on the lymphatic and endocrine system. The thymus secretes a hormone known as thymosin. Thymosin is important for the stimulation of T-cell development and production. Its functions are to protect the body from autoimmunity. The thymus is an important gland during pre-pubescence as it grows and develops, it also is the main source of T- cells. Abscess of the thymus is a very rare condition that is mainly found in children, but not discriminating in adults either. This condition can be acquired via many routes of infection through the contraction of sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as Syphilis, leading to a child being born with a rare condition called congenital syphilis. When a mother to be is quickly treated, a lot of these issues could be prevented. Abscess of the Thymus has also been found in patients compromised with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Tuberculosis, Haemophilus influenzaes and many other immunological diseases. The majority of abscesses that are found, in most cases are septic abscesses. Septic abscesses are a consequence of an infection in the body and can present themselves, almost in any part the body, ultimately leading to organ damage or failure.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of this condition include, but are not limited to a mass in the mediastinal region, pain in the chest region, tenderness of the affected region of the chest, fever, bodily aches, heat, redness, fever, inflammation of the area, discomfort and possible presentation of abscess on skin. A person may experience an interruption of other vital organ function. In its worst case of infection in individuals such as pregnant women, this infection, in the case of syphilis transmission to the fetus, it can lead to unfortunate events, showing signs and symptoms such as stillbirth, premature birth of fetus, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, sensorineural hearing loss, musculoskeletal deformity, and a myriad of medical conditions.

Cause

Infected cysts can sometimes be the cause of the abscess that is found on the thymus. In some cases, they are not problematic, but when they are, they can be infected and are found filled with fluid. Cysts that are found on the thymus are known to either be of a congenital or acquired type of cysts. An abscess can be caused by many different reasons such a as a constant infection of the upper respiratory systems, , STDs such as Syphilis causing Congenital Syphillis and many other immune system infections that cause cysts to develop on the thymus at the time of birth. In the acquired case, cysts can be found with tumors on they thymus called called Thymomas, or the removal of the thymus and after radiation therapy. Congenital syphilis occurs when the organism spirochete Treponema pallidum is transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus.

Mechanism / Pathophysiology

There are many ways to acquire this condition and there is one immune system to act upon this infection. Initially, when a form of infection enters into the body, which then will warrant the body to mount an immune response that will be mounted in order to fight and kill a foreign organism or intruder in the body.

In order to protect itself, the body will discharge white blood cells called leukocytes to the region of infection to fight off the foreign intruder that is causing the infection. Then, to localize the foreign intruder, these leukocytes will surround and lay their lives on the line to die in battle by containing the infection in that region. As a consequence of this reaction, there is an accumulation of dead leukocytes and tissues, accompanied with cellular debris in that region. This accumulation will fill the infected area in the form of pus found within or around the thymus, thus creating an abscess or multiple regions of abscesses around the body. Pus is a consequence of the body's own defensive mechanism actively fighting off an intruder. It is whiteish-yellow in color and presents with a thick appearance found at the site of infection and is comprised of dead white blood cells and cellular debris.

Diagnosis

There are a few ways this condition can be diagnosed when an individual is suspected of having this condition. A manual chest examination by a medical specialist at a routine visit, various laboratory testing that include aspiration of fluid found in infected region for biopsy. A biopsy can be performed by the collection of the abscess fluid matter in the thymus through centesis. Once collected, the fluid matter collected, will be tested for the presence of organisms that can be detrimental to the health of an individual. A complete blood count and other blood testing techniques and assays are performed to detect the presence of infection. The use of imaging routes such as x-ray, CT scan, ultrasound and many other measures can be used to help detect and diagnose this condition.

Treatment

This infection can be warded off initially by the major influence of the immune system, via the activation of a cascade of immunological responses. In the case the immune system is unable to fight this infection on its own, the treatment for this condition can be achieved with careful administration of broad spectrum antibiotics, hot compress to the region for temporary relief, a surgically placed drainage tube that allows for the drainage of cellular waste and in the most severe case, a surgical intervention designated for the surgical removal of the abscess can be possible. In some cases, this infection has been known to be resistant to treatment.

Prognosis

The prognosis of this condition can sometimes be influenced by the state of the afflicted individual's immune system. Sometimes, due to the nature of this infection being resistant to treatment, it can in some cases, prove to be fatal by way of sepsis.

Epidemiology

Due to the rarity of this condition, there has been inadequate data presentation of the demographic, frequency, disparity, morbidity rate, and mortality rate .

Recent Research

There has not been any recent study / studies or research to better understand this condition.